After being so wrong last year and winter and admitting it over and over, I guess I did "toot" a little bit today. Once we dealt Peavy, I had a feeling the rest were all going to go. 2014 was written off and rightfully so.

I was a little surprised by the amount of focus on 2015 rather than 2016 and beyond, but it was a healthy mix of both. No big complaints from me, except I expected better for Lester.

I like how we are set up for 2015 and beyond, but a lot of work still remains before a final judgment is made. We should have over $60M to spend this winter and a stockpile of prospects to trade for 1-2 high impact players.

Sure, each has its own unique ability than the other.... but in general terms they all provide the same average punch.... they are all barely on the field for more than 130 games..... and on a good year might hit 25/90. Three #6 hitters, two of whom should never be asked to put too much physical pressure on their legs.

Great. I just saw video of him gunning down runners (my favorite play) and fell in love with him. And I always liked saying Cespedes when we played against him. I don't know why, but it's just fun. Cespedes Cespedes Cespedes.

According to rotoworld, Oakland is the most negative ball park in baseball for hitters ( 86 park factor ) and Fenway is a 105 ( 5% better than average ). Couple that with Cespedes being the third most left field pull factor in the AL and his HR numbers and you are looking at a 30-35 HR guy and a .280 average. Cespedes is very possibly our most productive hitter next year. Consider all the fould ball territory in Oakland and look at his spray chart some time. There is little doubt he should be a hit according to the data. He also is not a disaster defensively. A little above average speed, great arm and probably about average in RF. This guy is a tremendous fit. I hope to God they extend him immediately.

And our biggest problem has been RH power. Power bats in general. Guys who drive in runs. Problem essentially solved with Craig and Cespedes..

According to rotoworld, Oakland is the most negative ball park in baseball for hitters ( 86 park factor ) and Fenway is a 105 ( 5% better than average ). Couple that with Cespedes being the third most left field pull factor in the AL and his HR numbers and you are looking at a 30-35 HR guy and a .280 average. Cespedes is very possibly our most productive hitter next year. Consider all the fould ball territory in Oakland and look at his spray chart some time. There is little doubt he should be a hit according to the data. He also is not a disaster defensively. A little above average speed, great arm and probably about average in RF. This guy is a tremendous fit. I hope to God they extend him immediately.

And our biggest problem has been RH power. Power bats in general. Guys who drive in runs. Problem essentially solved with Craig and Cespedes..

Careful with Cespedes' numbers...when you look at his splits, he has better number at home, in Oakland, than on the road. So before painting Oakland as such a bad hitter's ballpark, understand he put his best numbers up there.

Now, admittedly, the West is full of pitcher's parks. Even still, this isn't like Beltre coming from Seattle. Not on paper, at least. You could see in his numbers that Beltre would do well away from Seattle. Cespedes' numbers don't show that so strongly.

Great. I just saw video of him gunning down runners (my favorite play) and fell in love with him. And I always liked saying Cespedes when we played against him. I don't know why, but it's just fun. Cespedes Cespedes Cespedes.

If he ends up in RF, with JBJ in CF...that's a lot of artillery in the outfield...

Thanks RedSoxProspects for shedding some positive thoughts on the day.

Cespedes is not the second coming but even if he adds a threat to the lineup it's better than Gomes and Nava--let's be truthful. With Craig and Cespy you have extended your batting order. Craig is signed long term for Vic numbers at worst. They can start Vic on the 15 day DL and then to the 60--we probably won't see him back this season what with Sept. call ups.

Joe Kelly is a highly competitive kid as well. I'm anxiously optimistic about Ranaudo and then seeing RDLR and Webster. I honestly don't see Buch lasting the season; I hope I'm wrong.

According to rotoworld, Oakland is the most negative ball park in baseball for hitters ( 86 park factor ) and Fenway is a 105 ( 5% better than average ). Couple that with Cespedes being the third most left field pull factor in the AL and his HR numbers and you are looking at a 30-35 HR guy and a .280 average. Cespedes is very possibly our most productive hitter next year. Consider all the fould ball territory in Oakland and look at his spray chart some time. There is little doubt he should be a hit according to the data. He also is not a disaster defensively. A little above average speed, great arm and probably about average in RF. This guy is a tremendous fit. I hope to God they extend him immediately.

And our biggest problem has been RH power. Power bats in general. Guys who drive in runs. Problem essentially solved with Craig and Cespedes..

Ballpark factors tend to be vastly overrated. The effect is real, but smaller than most think.

My first thoughts after reading about the trade were that he doesn't exactly profile what the Sox look for in a hitter -- plate discipline, OBP. And the more I think about it, if he can go to FA after next season why would he interest a team like the Marlins as part of a Stanton trade? He'll command a big contract and despite his power potential he isn't a Stanton replacement. OK, so he's Cuban -- but that doesn't mean the Marlins will fall all over themselves to acquire him or pay him what he could likely command. Am I wrong here?

He's certainly a major league player -- but he'll be 29 next year and a FA. He has shown both great potential and a track record of not being a polished hitter. He's fascinating but far from a sure thing either here or as a trade chip.

All this Cespedes talk about his shortcomings sort of reminds me of another guy named Beltre...Ben did damn well yesterday because he correctly concluded the team was done and the team needs to be reinvigorated with better players for future success...this was Step 1 - Step 2 is taking all these pieces and trading for a Stanton and signing a MaxS....I have hope for 2015

When I lament about the Sox SP losses, make no mistake that I am dissing Yoenis or Craig because both healthy automatically add offense to the Sox and power. Might be fun to watch the Sox hit for a change. Lose 8-6, but hit.